This is slightly different from my earlier sojourns, in the sense that my better half was not with me.  However, it does not mean that I was alone.  In fact, it was a travel to three countries as part of a training programme which was mandatory for my regular appointment to my present grade of Deputy Secretary.  The fourteen days foreign component of the training started on 21/7/2013.

         The journey from New Delhi to Bangkok on 21.7.2013 was by Air India.  Starting at 1.40 pm on that day, we, a  group of 32 officers and one Course Director, reached Bangkok at around 5.00 pm local time.  After checking into hotel, we had dinner nearby and retired.  There was nothing remarkable that day.

        The class room sessions and local visits to Government and non Government institutions began next day on 22.7.2013 and ended on 26.7.2013 in so far as Bangkok is concerned.   The 27^th July, 2013 was devoted to visit to Pattaya, Nong Nooch Tropical Village, Tiffany Show and cultural visits around Pattaya.

        The Tiffany show of Pattaya, was a demonstration as to how challenges could be converted into opportunities.  The transgenders, impersonating as girls, presented a lively show of dances of various countries including India.  If one does not know beforehand, one cannot make out that these were not girls.  The majestic paraphernalia, the precision of dance and music and the way various dances were arrayed one after the other without break made the viewers spell bound.  Unlike in India, where till recently the transgenders were looked down upon, the transgenders of Pattaya have made their mark worldwide into the arena of respectability.  The Tiffany show is now world famous.

         We reached Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, the 28^th July, 2013.  The class room sessions and local visits started from Monday, the 29^th July, 2013 and ended on 1.8.2013 by 2.00 pm. 

      Though India is a secular country, the day to day rift between different religious groups is apparent here more than in Malaysia, which is an Islamic country.  Further, the women folk irrespective of the community they belong to are more participative and liberated.  The self discipline and tolerance were writ large in the way the citizen of that country behaved on road. 

         The Batu caves is a very good example of tolerance of the State towards other religions.  One of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, the Batu Caves’ Hanuman Temple,  with Lord Murugan, an imposing 154 foot (47 meter) high golden statue,  standing at the foot of the 272 stairs you must climb to view the Temple Cave, is to be seen to be believed. 

        Though, Government policies till date have been somewhat discriminatory in favour of Malays, known as “Bhumipurtras” and though the other communities, major among them being Chinese and Indian, are not equitably disposed by the Government in terms of admission to educational institutions, allotment of land etc.  yet, on surface, there have been no noticeable rift amongst communities. 

       The Genting Highlands was a worth seeing one time sort of hill station.  One reaches a height of 1800 m within 20-25 minutes through a trolley.  There is a fall in temperature of around 8-10 degrees centigrade.  It was found to be the only place where one, provided one is not a muslim citizen, can gamble legally. In the capital city, worth emulating rapid development during the last over two decades was visible.    Another important tourist spot was the world known Petronas Twin Towers.  These towers were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004, but they still remain the tallest twin buildings in the world. The buildings are the landmark of Kuala Lumpur with nearby Kuala Lumpur Tower. 

      A very important common feature in the two countries, as visible in the two capital cities of Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, was that they had developed a very high order of civic sense so quickly, India having become independent before Malaysia.  Virtually not a single horn was heard during over ten days in these cities.  At traffic signals, around one and half meter gap was visible between vehicles lined up in near perfect order.  As against this it is deafening in Delhi.  We did not notice any unwarranted lane jumping or overtaking due to over speeding.

       On return, there was a stopover of around a day at Singapore.  We reached Singapore at 2.00 pm on 2.8.2013 and started for Delhi at 4.00 pm on 3.8.2013.  Within this short spell, we visited Santosa Island of Singapore and also enjoyed a city tour. Overall it was a life time opportunity to visit these countries in a group of peer level officers.  Way back home, in India, one is forced to think aloud, as to what is lacking in us which is stopping this country to become a developed country at the same pace.   Is it lack of talent?  Is it lack of will?  Is it incapacity?  Is it self- centred approach with apathy and insensitivity towards others feelings and plight? Or, which may be the most fundamental, is it self-discipline?  The answers are not easy but important.